The Spice Girls are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut hit "Wannabe" with the release of "The Singles Collection," a comprehensive box set featuring all their singles and B-sides, along with previously unheard recordings and demos. The collection, available on 7-inch color vinyl and CD for £277, will go on sale November 6. This announcement has led to disappointment among fans who had hoped for a reunion tour, especially after the group posted a cryptic video on September 9, referencing the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, the iconic location from their "Wannabe" music video.
The box set includes "a few surprises from the vault," as described by the group on Instagram, and will feature original artwork and anniversary messages from each of the five members: Mel B, Mel C, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell-Horner, and Victoria Beckham. Among the unreleased tracks is "Do You Think About Me," noted as one of their earliest demos.
Fans expressed their desire for a tour on social media, with many commenting on the group's Instagram post that "A TOUR WITH ALL 5!!!" was what they truly wanted. This follows reports from March that plans for a 30th-anniversary tour had been axed due to disagreements among the group members regarding the comeback plans. A reported Netflix project to celebrate the anniversary was also said to have been cancelled.
Mel C previously confirmed in interviews that while the group communicates regularly and wants to do something to mark the milestone, no reunion tour was in the works at that time. She expressed optimism about the future, stating she hoped fans would see the Spice Girls together at some point. There had been speculation and reports throughout the year about potential anniversary celebrations, including talks with former manager Simon Fuller and even Victoria Beckham rejoining the group's social media presence for a singalong.
The Spice Girls first achieved global fame in 1996 with "Wannabe," which topped charts in 37 countries. The group went on to have nine number-one singles and two number-one albums in the UK. Halliwell-Horner departed the band in 1998, leading to a hiatus two years later. Beckham had previously indicated that her focus was on her fashion career, though she expressed fondness for the idea of performing again, even mentioning "the Sphere" as a potential venue.
The cryptic teaser video posted by the group featured a newspaper titled "The Stage and Television Today" with an article inquiring about "Spice Girls fan with the ability to sing and dance," and mentioning a date and time for an announcement: "Thursday 10th September at 2 o'clock BST. No sheet music required but you will need a vinyl or a CD player."